Internet slams NY judge for barring Trump from attending Supreme Court arguments on presidential immunity

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: In the unfolding drama of former President Trump’s hush money trial, a pivotal moment emerged on Monday, April 15, as a New York judge decreed that Trump cannot attend arguments on presidential immunity at the Supreme Court next week.

The decision dealt a blow to Trump's aspirations, coming after a series of attempts to secure permission to attend personal events amid the proceedings.

New York judge denies permission to attend Supreme Court

The trial, expected to stretch over weeks if not months, commenced its first day in Manhattan amid a flurry of legal maneuvers.

Trump's legal team had earlier sought permission for him to attend his son Barron’s imminent high school graduation in May, a request that had been delayed by the presiding judge, Juan Merchan.

However, Judge Merchan swiftly rejected Trump lawyer Todd Blanche's plea to allow the former president to be present at the Supreme Court during oral arguments on April 25.

“Arguing before the Supreme Court is a big deal, and I can certainly appreciate why your client would want to be there, but a trial in New York Supreme Court is also a big deal,” Merchan told Blanche. “I will see him here next week,” the judge added.

Under New York state law, Trump is mandated to attend the entirety of his trial unless granted specific dispensation by the judge. Reacting to the decision, Trump suggested that Judge Merchan viewed himself as "superior" to the Supreme Court for preventing his attendance.

“He won’t allow me to leave here for a half a day to go to DC and go before the United States Supreme Court, because he thinks he’s superior, I guess, than the Supreme Court,” the GOP 2024 presidential frontrunner stated.

Following the court's adjournment, Trump vented his grievances, lamenting the potential necessity of missing his son's graduation and labeling the trial a "scam."

His attorneys had pleaded with Justice Merchan to reschedule the trial's proceedings to accommodate Barron's graduation ceremony at Oxbridge Academy in Palm Beach, Florida.

“I was looking forward to that graduation with his mother and father there, and it looks like the judge does not allow me to escape this scam. It’s a scam trial,” Trump, 77,  told the press in the hallway of the Manhattan Supreme Court, The Hill reported.

He also criticized Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg's presence at the trial, insinuating that crime surged in the vicinity in his absence.

“I just want to thank you very much,” he added, sarcastically, “but that I can go to my son’s graduation, but then I can’t go to the United States Supreme Court, and I’m not in Georgia or Florida or North Carolina, campaigning. Like I should be. It’s perfect for the radical left Democrats. That’s exactly what they want.”

Social media backlash

Social media erupted with condemnation of Judge Merchan's decision after he declared Trump cannot attend arguments at the Supreme Court next week.

"Nor his son's graduation. Abuse of power. Violates Trump's constitutional rights," one posted on X.

"This NY Judge is a Communist TYRANT. He should be DISBARRED for his gross violations of due process," another fumed.

"Children’s milestone is irreversible. [The] judge's decision is despicable. It’s nothing but a political hit job," someone else commented.

"I hope that I can measure up to be like Trump one day he is such a strong person to endure all this!" another gushed.

The trial, marking the first criminal prosecution of a former US president, promises to be a protracted affair, potentially spanning up to eight weeks. Its inaugural day primarily addressed legal formalities, deferring jury selection until after the lunch break.

At the heart of the trial lies the accusation of 34 counts of falsifying business records against Trump, relating to a hush money payment made by his ex-fixer, Michael Cohen, to adult film actress Stormy Daniels before the 2016 election. Trump maintains his innocence, denying any wrongdoing or affair.

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